Air cleaner



c. c. STRATTON June 14, 1955 AIR CLEANER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1,1954 6760 C shallot? INVENTOR.

flttorne'y June 14, 1955 qc, STRATTON 2,710,665

AIR CLEANER Filed March 1, 1954 3 Shee tS-Sheet 3 I39 77 as 1 (760 CStrazton I INVENTOR.

2,710,665 Patented June 14, 1955 United States Patent Ofiice AIR CLEANERCleo C. Stratton, San Bernardino, Calif.

Application March 1, 1954, Serial No. 413,275 6 Claims. (Cl. 183-9) Thisinvention relates generally to filtering devices and relates moreparticularly to devices for filtering and conditioning gaseous fluids.

While the invention has particular utility in connection with filteringand humidifying devices for internal cornbustion engines and is shownand described herein in connection with such engines, it is to beunderstood that its utility is not confined thereto.

In providing an air and fuel mixture for internal combustion engines, itis important to remove any abrasive, foreign particles or the like thatmight be entrained in the air and it has been found that moisture insuch air greatly improves the operation of internal combustion engines.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which willeffectively remove undesirable foreign material from gaseous fluid, suchas air, passed therethrough.

Another object of the invention is to provide a continuously cleanedfiltering element.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter which will provide moisture in the air in suitable form andquantities.

A further object of the invetion is to provide a device of thischaracter which will inhibit or prevent moisture droplets from enteringthe carburetor of the engine.

A still further object of the invention is to provide easy removal fromthe device of foreign material removed from the air and collected bysaid device.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are furthersufliciently referred to in connection with the following detaileddescription of the accompanying drawings which represent severalembodiments thereof. After considering these examples, skilled personswill understand that many variations may be made without departing fromthe spirit and principles disclosed and l contemplate the employment ofany structures, arrangements or modes of operation that are properlywithin the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only,

Fig. 1 is a side view of an air cleanig and humidifying device embodyingthe present invention as it is installed on an internal combustionengine.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of said device;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3of Fig. 2; i

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a side view, with portions broken away, of the-mechanism foreffecting rotation of the filtering element; and

Fig. 7 is an alternative arrangement of the present device.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown an internalcombustion engine, indicated generally at 10, having a carburetor 11with an inlet section 12. Attached to the inlet section 12 is thefiltering and humidifying device of the present invention, indicatedgenerally at 14.

The device or mechanism 14 includes a duct, indicated generally at 15,shown as being arranged horizontally and comprising a top wall 16,bottom wall 17 and an end wall 18 at the outlet end. The bottom wall 17is provided with an opening in which an adapter I? is secured. Theadapter has its upper end formed with a flange 20 and an outwardlypressed portion 21 spaced from the flange and forming a recess in whichthe adjacent edge portion of said opening is secured. The lower end ofthe adapter 19 is provided with an outturned flange 22 which rests onthe inlet end of the inlet section 12 of the carburator. A clamp member24 embraces the flange 22 and the adjacent flanged end (not shown) and ascrew 25 is provided for tightening said clamp 24. A strip 27 of sheetmetal extends across the top wall 16 and down one side, as at 28, andoutwardly at 29 to provide a bracket for supporting a fan mechanism,indicated generally at 30, the purpose of which will be hereinafterdescribed. The strip 27 is secured to the duct walls by spot welding orby any other suitable means and there is an opening 31 which extendsthrough said strip and top wall 16 in axial alignment with thecarburetor adapted 19. The opening 31 is for reception of the upper endof a screw or bolt 32 provided with a single nut 33 for providingadditional securing means for the filter and humiditying mechanism.

It. is to be noted that the bottom wall 17 of the duct is provided withdepending side flanges 35 and end flanges 36 and 37 and that the sidewalls 38 and 39 of the duct extend to the lower edges of the flanges 35.The side walls 38 and 39 of the duct may be secured to the flanges 35 byany suitable means such as crimping over the lower edge portions of theflanges 35 as at 39, Figs. 1, 2, and 4. However, any other suitablemeans may be used to secure these parts together. It is to be noted thatthe end wall 18 is secured to the flange 36 of the duct bottom by meansof screws 49 while the upper edge of said wall 18 may be secured to thetop 16 by any suitable means such as soldering, brazing, or the like.

At the inlet end of the duct there is provided a precipitation chamber42 which has an outer wall 43 which, for convenience, will be termed theouter end wall. The side walls 44 and 45 and the semicircular bottomwall 46 comprises a single strip or sheet of formed metal. The wall 43is provided with openings adjacent the upper end thereof which registerwith openings in the lower edge portion of the side wall 39 of the ductfor reception of screws 47 whereby the parts are secured together. Theupper edge portion of the wall 44 is provided with openings in theflange S7 of the bottom wall of the duct for reception of screws 48whereby the wall 44 and flange 37 are secured together. A baffle 49 isprovided with a depending flange 50 which also has openings forreception of the screws 48 whereby the baflle is secured in position,said baffle extending from the upper end of the wall 44 inwardly of thechamber 42. Said baflle 49, however, does not extend clear across thetop of chamber 42 so that there is a relatively large passage or opening52 between the upper end of chamber 42 and the interior of the duct 15.

The wall of chamber 42 opposite wall 43 is indicated at 55 and isprovided with a relatively large opening 56 with a flange 57 whichextends outwardly of the chamber 42 and inwardly of a receptacle 59which is generally oval in cross-section. The wall 55 has a portionwhich serves as the inner wall of the receptacle, the outer wall 60 ofsaid receptacle being generally oval in shape with the major axisvertical. the receptacle and the bottom wall 66 are formed of a singlesheet of material, the walls 64 and 65 being in The side walls 64 and 65of Livertically spaced relation to each other and the bottom wall 66being generally semicircular. It is to be noted that the bottom wall 66and portions of the side walls 64 and 65 are common with the bottom wall46 and side walls 44 and 45 of the precipitation chamber and that theends thereof are secured to the walls 43 and by folded seams 63 and 69thereof. Other means, of course may be used for securing these partstogether. it is to be noted that an outwardly pressed recess 70 isformed in the sheet of material from which the common portions of thewalls 44, 45, 45 and 64, 65 and 6-6 respectively are formed. The wall 55is provided with an arcuate flange 71 Which is received in said recess70.

A filtering and humidifying means, indicated generally at 75, isprovided in the upper portion of the receptacle 59, said means beinggenerally cylindrical and having its axis horizontally arranged, therebeing a cylindrical screen 76 of relatively fine mesh secured at theouter end to an inturned flange 77 of a solid end wall 78 and secured atthe opposite end to an inturned flange 79 of the inner end wall 80having a plurality of relatively large openings 81 therein, saidopenings being spaced annularly apart. The screen may be of variousthicknesses depending upon the installation but it has been found that ascreen 511 of an inch thick of copper has proved very satisfactory. Thecylindrical screen may be of various areas, depending upon theinstallation, but it has been found that an area approximately en timesgreater than the area of the intake of the carburetor to which thedevice is to be attached provides very satisfactory results. This is toavoid any choke down or any tendency to restrict airflow through thedevice. Extcriorly of the screen '76 is a reinforcing screen 33 ofrelatively large mesh which is also secured to the end walls 78 and 89,said screen 83 being interposed between the screen 76 and the flanges 77and 79. The walls 78 and 80 are provided with collars 84 and 85respectively, said collars being secured to their respective walls bysoldering or other suitable means and are provided with aligned openingswhich re ister with openings in the walls 78 and 39, said openings beingarranged axially with respect to the device 75 for reception of a shaft87 which is rotatably mounted at one end in a bearing 88 secured in thewall or end plate 60 of the receptacle 59 and a bearing 89 secured to achannel member 90 which extends horizontally across the opening 50, theends of said channel member 90 being secured to the wall 55 by solderingor other suitable means. The unit 75 is secured to the shaft 87 by anysuitable means such as, for example, a cotter pin 91 received in alignedopenings in said collar 84 and shaft 87. Rotation of the shaft 87 will,therefore, eflect rotation of the filtering and humidifying unit 75. itis to be noted that the inner end of the unit 75 is received within theflanged opening 50. The fit is relatively close to prevent any excessivebypassing of air but is loose enough to permit rotation of the unit.

There is means for supplying water to the receptacle 59 and chamber 42and for automatically maintaining a predetermined water level therein,indicated at 109a. The water level is above the lower portion of thecylindrical filtering and humidifying element so that the screen isimmersed in the water. An immersion of approximately a quarter of aninch has been found to give very good results. it is to be noted thatthe chamber 4?. and 59 are connected together by a notch '93 whichdepends from the opening 50 so that water may readily pass between saidchambers. The source of water comprises a tank 94 secured to the outletend portion of the duct 15. The tank is provided with brackets 95 whichare spaced apart and secured to the cylindrical all of the tank 9d bymeans of rivets 96 or any other suitable means. The brackets 95 aresecured to extension portions 96 of the side walls 38 and 39 of the duct15 and the top wall 16 of said duct has an extension 97 with an endportion 93 soldered or otherwise suitably secured to the cylindricalwall of said tank. The tank may be filled through an opening 99 at thetop thereof is closed by a fiip cap 190 hinged at one end to a bracket101 and provided with a spring 102 which normally maintains the cap in aclosed position. A finger engageable car 103 provides means whereby thecap may be raised so that the tank may be filled with water. Within thereceptacle 59 is a valve 105 which has an outwardly projectingexternally threaded portion 106 received in an opening provided thereforin the wall 60. A nut 107 secures the valve 105 to said wall and saidvalve is connected to the tank by means of a pipe or conduit 108. Thevalve 105 is controlled by a float 109 disposed within the precipitationchamber 42 and connected with said valve by means of an arm 110 and alink 111, the arm 110 being operably received within the notch 93 inwall 55. The valve 105 is disposed beneath the unit 75 and there isdrain means for draining water from the device. This drain meanscomprises a tube 112 received in an opening in the wall 60 at the bottomof said receptacle 59, said tube being soldered or otherwise suitablysecured within said opening. A flexible tube or hose 113 is received onthe tube 112 and the free end of said hose is provided with a shortmetal nozzle 114 which is inserted in the free end of said hose and isremovably received in a bracket 115 secured to the wall 6%) adjacent theupper end thereof by means of spot welding or other suitable means.

Means for rotating the filter unit or element 75 comprises a fan,located generally at 120. The fan is provided with a plurality of blades121 having body portions 122 of corresponding pitch. Each blade isprovided with a tip portion123 having a pitch opposite that of the bodyportion 122. The fan has a hub 124 secured to a shaft 125 projectingfrom a gear reduction mechanism, indicated generally at 126, by means ofa set screw 127. The shaft 126 has a worm gear 128 within the housing129 of the gear reduction mechanism 126, said worm gear 128 being meshedwith a worm Wheel 130 having a shaft 131 to which one end of a flexiblecable 132 is operably connected. The opposite end of said cable 132 isconnected to the shaft 87 of the filtering and humidifying unit. Thehousing 129 is provided with an arm 134 having an opening 135 thereinfor reception of a bolt 136 received in an opening provided therefor. inthe arm 29. The fan mechanism is thereby attached to the support arm129. The fan is so located as to be exposed to the airstrcam flowingbeneath the hood of the car and air passing over the blades cause thefan to rotate but the speed of the air has little efiect on the tipportions 123. However, when the air speed increases, the rate ofrotation of the fan increases. Because the portions 123 are at the outerextremity of the fan blades, they move a greater distance than the restof the blades and cause a counteraction to the rotating fan due to thefact that the pitch of said portions 123 is the opposite from the mainbody portions 122. This arrangement is elfective to limit the speed ofrotation of the fan which will reach a maximum which the fan cannotexceed. In other words the blade arrangement is such as to act as agovernor limiting the speed of the fan blades. The speed reduction gearsystem, including the worm 128 and worm Wheel 130 reduces the output ofthe device and the obtuse angular arrangement of the fan with respect tothe airstream, the direction of which is indicated by the arrow 145(Fig. 2). aids in keeping the speed of the fan within the desiredlimits. It has been found that a speed of from two to six revolutionsper minute of the element 75 provides efficient and effective filteringand humidifying action.

The receptacle 59 is provided with an arcuate shaped cover having theframe .138 to ahich a relatively large mesh screen 139 is marginallysecured. The frame 138 is hinged at 140 to the wall 64 of the receptacleand at the opposite side of said frame there is provided a rolled edge142 adapted to be engaged by spring latch 143 secured to the wall 65 forreleasably retaining the cover in the closed position.

When the mechanism is installed and in operation airflow under the hoodis caused by the fan of the engine and, when the vehicle is in motion,but the movement of said vehicle will effect rotation of the fan 120,which in turn, will cause rotation of the filter and humidifying element75. Air will be drawn through the screen 139 of the cover and throughthe screen 83 and thence through the fine-mesh screen 76 by operation ofthe engine. As the element 75 rotates through the water in the bottom ofthe receptacle 59, the interstices of the screen 76 will pick up waterand retain same and air drawn through the screen 76 will have foreignparticles therein entrapped by the water in the screen mesh and aportion of this water will fall into the water in the bottom of saidreceptacle. Also some will be carried around as the device rotates andbe deposited in the water in the bottom of said receptacle. Some of themoisture will be carried from the interior of the device 75 through theopenings 81 and into the precipitation chamber 42. This chamber issubstantially larger than the eifective area of the filtering element 75and it has been found that by having the precipitation chamberapproximately twice the effective area of said filter element, whichmakes it approximately twenty times the size of the carburetor inletopening, particles of water entrained in the air entering saidprecipitation chamber will fall to the bottom of the chamber and intothe body of water located there. Thus damp air will be drawn from theprecipitation chamber into the duct 15, adapter 19, carburetor 11, andthence into the engine without carrying water droplets or globulesalong.

This humidifying air increases the efiiciency of the engine and helpssmooth out its operation.

Should it be desired to clean the device, the receptacle may be flushedout by turning a stream of water onto the cylindrical element 75. Priorto this washing action, the nozzle 114 is removed from the bracket 115and lowered to a position whereat the water will run out of thereceptacle. After the device has been flushed out, the nozzle 114 isreplaced in the bracket 115. This drain mechanism has been found to bemore satisfactory than petcocks, valves or the like which tend to stopup.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 7 is similar to that hereinabove describedexcept that the precipitation chamber is provided with an adapter 19awhich may be connected directly to a carburetor inlet where thecarburetor has a horizontal inlet or to a further adapter which willprovide a down draft outlet. It may be noted that the precipitationchamber may have an upward opening should the installation require same.The duct is thus not used and the tank and fan mechanism may be securedto any suitable convenient support means.

It is to be understood that while the fan mechanism is used to operatethe cylindrical filtering and humidifying element 75 at a predetermined,governed speed, other suitable means for effecting rotation of saidelement 75 and regulating or governing the speed thereof within thedesired limits, may be used.

I claim:

1. An air filtering and humidifying device for internal combustionengines, comprising: a horizontal duct; an adapter depending from saidduct for connection with the carburetor intake of an internal combustionengine; walls defining a casing providing a receptacle, elliptical incross section, having an outer end wall and an inner end wall with anopening therein with a flange about said opening turned inwardlyrelative to said receptacle, said inner end wall also having a notchdepending from the openings therein; a shaft rotatably mounted in saidwalls and having a portion extending outwardly of the outer end wall; acylindrical filtering and humidifying element in the upper portion ofsaid receptacle and comprising an outer circular end wall and an innercircular end wall having openings therein for the passage of airtherethrough; a

thin cylindrical screen of relatively fine mesh mounted on said walls ofthe filtering and humidifying element, said screen having a thickness ofapproximately of an inch, the effective area of the screen beingapproximately ten times the area of the intake of said carburetor; ascreen of relatively large mesh about the first mentiond screen, saidfiltering and humidifying element being secured to said shaft and havingits inner end extending into the fianged opening of the inner Wall ofthe receptacle, said element being rotatable in said opening but havinga relatively close fit therein; a precipitation chamber in said casingat the inner end of the receptacle, said chamber being connected to theinlet of said duct and being approximately twenty times the size of saidcarburetor inlet; means providing a supply of water including a tankattached to said duct adjacent the outlet end thereof beyond theadapter; a conduit connecting said tank with said receptacle; a valvecontrolling said conduit; an arm for controlling said valve, said armextending through the notch in the inner Wall of said receptacle, saidnotch providing communication for water between said chamber and saidreceptacle; a float attached to the free end of said arm, said floatbeing located in said precipitation chamber and adapted to maintain aWater level in the lower portion of said chamber and receptacle abovethe lower part of said filtering and humidifying element so that saidlower portion of said element is always in said Water; means forrotating said shaft comprising a fan having pitched blades, each of saidblades having a tip portion pitched in the opposite direction from theremaining portion of the respective blades for limiting the speed ofsaid fan; speed reduction gearing, said fan being op erably connected tosaid speed reduction gearing; a support for said fan, said fan beingdisposed at an oblique angle with respect to the airstream to which saidfan is subjected; means connecting said gearing to said shaft, saidshaft being operated at from two to six revolutions per minute; anddrain means for said housing comprising a flexible tube having one endconnected to the bottom portion of the housing, and means for removablyretaining the opposite end of said tube in an elevated position relativeto the bottom of said housing.

2. An air filtering and humidifying device for internal combustionengines, comprising: a horizontal duct having an inlet; an adapterdepending from said duct for connection with the carburetor intake of aninternal combustion engine; walls defining a casing providing an alignedreceptacle and precipitation chamber, said receptacle including an outerend wall and an inner end wall having an opening therein with a flangeabout said opening turned inwardly relative to said receptacle, saidinner end wall also having a notch depending from the openings thereinproviding communication between said receptacle and said chamber; ashaft rotatably mounted in said walls; a cylindrical filtering andhumidifying element including an outer end wall and an inner end wallhaving openings therein for the passage of air therethrough; a thincylindrical screen of relatively fine mesh mounted on said walls of thefiltering and humidifying element, the cylindrical area of the screenbeing approximately ten times the area of the intake of said carburetor;said filtering and humidifying element being secured to said shaft andhaving its inner end extending into said flanged opening of the innerwall of said receptacle, said element being rotatable in said openingbut having a relatively close fit therein, the precipitation chamberbeing connected with the inlet of said duct and being approximatelytwenty times the size of said carburetor inlet; means providing a watersupply including a tank attached to said duct adjacent the outlet endthereof beyond the adapter; a conduit connecting said tank with saidhousing; a valve controlling said conduit; an arm for controlling saidvalve and extending, through the notch in the inner wall of the housing;a fioat attached to the free end of said arm, said float being locatedin said precipitation chamber and adapted to maintain a water level inthe lower portion of the receptacle above the lower part of saidfiltering and humidifying element; means connected with said shaft forrotating said shaft and element, said means comprising a fan havingpitched blades, each of said blades having a tip portion pitched in theopposite direction from the remaining portion of said blades; speedreduction gearing, said fan being operably connected to said speedreduction gearing; a support for said fan, said fan being disposed at anoblique angle with respect to the airstream to which said fan issubjected; and drain means for said housing comprising a flexible tubehaving one end connected to the bottom portion of the housing, and meansfor removably retaining the opposite end of said tube in an elevatedposition relative to the bottom of said housing.

3. An air filtering and humidifying device for internal combustionengines, comprising: a duct having an inlet adjacent one end and anoutlet adjacent the other end;

an adapter for said duct for connection with a carburetor ,5

inlet; walls defining a casing providing a receptable and aprecipitation chamber connected with the duct inlet, said receptacleincluding an inner wall having an opening therein, said inner end wallalso having a notch depending from the opening therein and providingcommunication between said receptacle and said chamber; a rotatableshaft in said receptacle; a cylindrical filtering and humidifyingelement including an outer end wall and an inner end wall havingopenings therein for the passage of air therethrough; a cylindricalscreen of relatively fine mesh mounted on said walls of the filteringand humidifying element, the cylindrical area of the screen beingapproximately ten times the area of the intake of said carburetor, saidfiltering and humidifying element being secured to said shaft and havingits inner end extending into said opening of the inner wall of saidreceptacle, said element being rotatable in said opening but having arelatively close fit therein, the precipitation chamber beingapproximately twenty times the size of said carburetor inlet; meansproviding a water supply including a tank attached to said duct; aconduit connecting said tank with said receptacle; a valve controllingsaid conduit; an arm for controlling said valve and extending throughthe notch in the inner wall of the housing; a float attached to the freeend of said arm, said float being located in said precipitation chamberand adapted to maintain a water level in the lower portion of thereceptacle above the lower part of said filtering and humidifyingelement; means connected with said shaft for rotating said shaft andelement, said means comprising a fan having pitched blades, each of saidblades having a tip portion pitched in the opposite direction from theremaining portion of said blades; speed reduction gearing, said fanbeing operably connected to said speed reduction gearing; a support forsaid fan, said ,3.

fan being disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the airstream towhich said fan is subjected; and drain means for said housing.

4. An air filtering and humidifying device for internal combustionengines having a carburetor, comprising: a duct having an inlet and anoutlet for connection with the inlet of said carburetor; walls defininga casing providing an aligned receptacle and precipitation chamberconnected with the duct inlet, said receptacle including a wall betweensaid chamber and receptacle, said Wall having an opening therein and anotch depending from the openings providing communication between saidreceptacle and said chamber; a cylindrical filtering and humidifyingelement comprising a thin cylindrical screen of relatively fine meshrotatably mounted in said receptacle, the area of the screen beingsubstantially greater than the area of the intake of said carburetor;said filtering and humidifying element extending into said opening ofsaid wall of the receptacle, said element being rotatable in saidopening but having a relatively close fit therein, the precipitationchamber being approximately substantially greater than said carburetorinlet; means providing a water supply including a tank; a conduitconnecting said tank with said receptacle; a valve controlling saidconduit; an arm for controlling said valve and extending through thenotch in the inner wall of the housing; a float attached to the free endof said arm, said float being located in said precipitation chamber andadapted to maintain a water level in the lower portion of the receptacleabove the lower part of said filtering and humidifying element; meansfor rotating said element at a predetermined relatively slow speed; anddrain means for said housing.

5. An air filtering and humidifying device for internal combustionengines having a carburetor, comprising: a duct adapted to be connectedto the inlet of said carburetor, walls defining a casing providing areceptacle and a precipitation chamber connected with said duct, saidreceptacle including a wall having an opening therein communicating withsaid chamber; a cylindrical filtering and humidiiying element rotatablymounted in said receptacle and including a cylindrical screen ofrelatively fine mesh, the area of the screen being substantially greaterthan the area of the intake of said carburetor; said filtering andhumidifying element operably extending into said opening in said wall ofsaid receptacle, said precipitation chamber being substantially greaterthan said carburetor inlet; means providing a water supply including atank; a connection between said tank with said housing; a valvecontrolling said conduit; an arm for controlling said valve andextending through the notch in the inner wall of the housing; a fioatattached to the free end of said arm, said float being located in saidprecipitation chamber and adapted to maintain a water level in the lowerportion of the receptacle above the lower part of said filtering andhumidifying element; and means for rotating said filtering andhumidifying element.

6. An air filtering and humidifying device for internal combustionengines having a carburetor, comprising: a duct adapted to be connectedwith the inlet of said carburetor; walls defining a casing providing areceptacle,

and a precipitation chamber, the latter being connected with said duct;a cylindrical filtering and humidifying element rotatably mounted insaid receptacle, said element including a thin cylindrical screen ofrelatively fine mesh, the area of the screen being substantially greaterthan the area of the intake of said carburetor, the interior of saidfiltering and humidifying clement communicating with said precipitationchamber, said chamber being approximately twice the size of said screenarea; means providing a water supply including a water source; a conduitconnecting said source with said receptacle; a valve controlling saidconduit; means for controlling said valve, said means including a floatlocated in said precipitation chamber and adapted to maintain a waterlevel in the lower portion of the receptacle above the lower part ofsaid filtering and humidifying element; and means connected with saidelement for rotating said element at a predetermined rate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS885,905 Averall Apr. 28, 1908 1,409,593 Schram Mar. l4, 1922 1,578,611Sanborn Mar. 30, 1926 1,899,504 Hanson Feb. 28, 1933

